Sourcing · Quality & assay
Numbers you can contract on.
Grade decides price. We build every deal on independent sampling and assay at the load port, with an umpire laboratory named in advance.
01
From sample to settlement
01
Pre-shipment sample
A representative sample from the producer's stockpile, analysed by an independent laboratory before contract.
02
Load-port sampling
An independent inspector samples during loading following the applicable ISO method (for example ISO 12743 for copper, lead, zinc and nickel concentrates), and determines moisture and weight.
03
Split and seal
The sample is split into sealed sets: seller, buyer, umpire and reserve.
04
Assay exchange
Buyer and seller exchange results. If they differ by less than the agreed splitting limit, the average is settled.
05
Umpire
If the difference exceeds the limit, the sealed umpire sample goes to the laboratory named in the contract, and its result decides.
02
Inspection companies
We work with internationally recognised inspection and testing companies present in African ports, such as SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek and Alex Stewart International. The buyer can nominate its own inspector at its own cost.
03
What gets measured
| Commodity | Payable | Typical penalties / limits |
|---|---|---|
| Copper concentrate | Cu, Au, Ag | As, Bi, Hg, Cd, F, Cl, moisture |
| Cobalt hydroxide | Co | Mn, Mg, Cu, moisture, uranium |
| Spodumene concentrate | Li₂O (e.g. 6%) | Fe₂O₃, mica, moisture |
| Graphite | Fixed carbon, flake size | Ash, moisture, sulphur |
| Tantalite | Ta₂O₅ | U₃O₈ + ThO₂ (radioactivity) |
| Chrome ore | Cr₂O₃, Cr:Fe ratio | SiO₂, P, S |
| Aromatics | Specification per material | GC-MS profile, refractive index, optical rotation |
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